THE Chrysalis Business Centre at Tower Court had every reason to celebrate its first birthday this week.

The state-of-the-art complex at Tower Court in Foleshill was established to help 20 young and small companies scale the business ladder and has proved a major success.

The centre offers flexible occupation terms, support services, conference facilities and business advice and already has 16 of the 20 office suites occupied.

Clive Benfield, of developers Confederated Builders, said the centre had been responsible for several successful business start-ups.

"Chrysalis was planned with new and fledgling businesses in mind with support and flexibility the key.

"It is a concept that has caught on very well and several of the companies in the centre, which include IT, training and electronic firms, now trade with each other.

"We have had several moves within the centre to suit their growing needs and it is pleasing to see such a hive of activity."

Chrysalis is based on the fourth floor of Tower Court, the former Courtaulds Building on Foleshill Road, and is managed by Portfolio Property Management.

Confederated Builders - a consortium comprising Coventry-based Deeley Properties and Cromwell Developments, part of the Benfield Group - undertook a #6 million transformation of Tower Court, turning it from a derelict building into a state-of-the-art office complex.

* Pictured at the celebration are David Jones, left, of PPM, Heather Wright, of Chrysalis, and Clive Benfield.